Category Archives: Uncategorized

ShareI’d like to ask you a question. First though, stop whatever you’re doing, empty your thoughts, then visualize this scene in your head. Think of key moments in your past that impacted your life so profoundly you can’t imagine what your life would be like today, right now, without them. What happened? What was that “moment” you saw in your head just now? Was there someone else in that scene? Someone who was a part of that moment either directly or indirectly? That moment could have been a negative event or it could have been a positive one. Doesn’t matter. Because either way, it changed your destiny. That’s where I am right now. Again! Yet another ending, another moment when destiny switched and something happened … Continue reading →

ShareThe purpose in life is not what we can take from it, but what we give to it, especially each other. So I’m GIVING this to you; Not long ago, a man travelled a far distance to help one of his sisters tend to their father who had undergone a radical surgery. A few days after arriving, he met someone for the first time. It was his great niece, not quite 3 years old at the time. Early one morning, while he was staying at the home of his sister where his great niece was visiting her grandmother, he was working at his computer in a room near the bedroom where his great niece lay sleeping. He heard a sound, he turned, and there she was. She’d … Continue reading →

Share“Felix Baumgartner”, going and DOING what no human being has ever done. It’s one I’ve been thinking about writing about, it’s not the records, and sure millions of dollars were poured into this, and yes, it was just one man, one soul, just like you and I. But seriously, if ONE man, ONE human being is able to summon this much faith and courage to JUMP, then why can’t we? Why can’t we down here on Earth, struggling every day, trying to survive, just “making do”, why can’t we? I say YES!! If people would stop and think about it for a moment, maybe in some weird way he DID change “the world’s problems.” We spend so much energy focusing on what’s wrong, we lose … Continue reading →

ShareHey you. Yea you. You know who you are. I want to thank you for this day you’ve given and shared with me. We talk a lot, you and I. Help me to continue understanding and loving you better. Thank you for bringing people into my life who care. People of substance and character. Thank you for allowing me to see it’s never about me and always about others. Thank you for the comfort of knowing I’m not alone, that others have struggles far worse than I. We have families to care for, bills to pay, we do the best we can. Please keep bringing others into my life who lift my spirits, who bring out the best in me, and I in them. We … Continue reading →

Share“Relationships.” Wow, if there’s one word, one topic that’s on a lot of people’s minds these days, this would be it. As a writer and mentor, owner of a Facebook page called Go for the Gusto, and owner of a website that focuses on helping others, it never ceases to amaze me how hot this topic is. Over the past 2 ½ years since I created these two means of communication in the social media world, countless private consultations via phone and email in my role as a mentor/life coach, and many times just as a friend and fellow human being, it leaves little doubt this topic will continue to be on the front burner. This is particularly so for those of us over the … Continue reading →

ShareBeing a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure as they felt that Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed … Continue reading →

Share WISDOM OF THE SOUL 1. No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission. 2. Most people will be about as happy, as they decide to be. 3. Others can stop you temporarily, but only you can do it permanently. 4. Whatever you are willing to put up with, is exactly what you will have. 5. Success stops when you do. 6. When your ship comes in. … make sure you are willing to unload it. 7. You will never “have it all together.” 8. Life is a journey… not a destination. Enjoy the trip! 9. The biggest lie on the planet: “When I get what I want I will be happy.” 10. The best way to escape your problem is … Continue reading →

ShareWe think about divorce in terms of “failed” marriages, but author and filmmaker Dana Adam Shapiro’s new book is a reminder that often our best shot at finding lasting love comes from the personal growth that occurs in the aftermath of a painful break-up. Over about four years, Shapiro, whose documentary bv Murderball was nominated for an Academy Award, traveled across the country interviewing hundreds of people who had survived a tough divorce and published many of their stories in the collection ‘You Can Be Right (Or You Can Be Married).’ Related: Dana Adams Shapiro’s Filmography on Yahoo! Movies When Shapiro, now 38, hit his mid-30s, he witnessed many of his friends’ marriages start to fall apart and wondered why. At the same time, he hadn’t been able to sustain … Continue reading →

ShareEvery once in awhile, something appears that gets our attention. Something that unites us as a race of human beings, regardless of what part of the world we live in, our color, our religious beliefs, our gender, or social status, or what have you. This is one of those “moments”, something I read today on a personal friend’s Facebook page. Here is an amazing story from a flight attendant on Delta Flight 15, written following 9-11 & fact checked today: “On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, we were about 5 hours out of Frankfurt, flying over the North Atlantic. All of a sudden the curtains parted and I was told to go to the cockpit, immediately, to see the captain. As soon as I … Continue reading →

Share1) Disappointment comes from expectation 2) Most relationship problems come from expectations So, I decided to try an experiment. To have a relationship with NO EXPECTATIONS. It’s hard, but possible. It sounded impossible when I thought of it, but it is in fact possible. Hopes are ok. Wants are ok. But expectation is out. Expect nothing of no one, and you will never be disappointed. Remember, this is in RELATIONSHIPS. Different rules for other situations. Expectations from yourself are a double-edged sword. They help you stay focused and achieve your goals, but can also lead to self-disappointment – possibly crippling disappointment. You have to learn that in your own life, you will make mistakes and will fail to achieve some objectives. The trick is to … Continue reading →

ShareThere’s a lot of life coaches “out there” offering you their services. Most of them I’m guessing have learned their craft through programs designed for coaches. Programs created specifically to “teach” them techniques they can utilize to help you. Of course, there’s no doubt many tap into their own life experiences as well. But in the end, at least from what I’ve seen, they’re students passing along what they’ve learned from a program that “certified” them as a “life coach.” What makes a good doctor? What makes a good lawyer? For that matter, how does one define a good mother? Did she get a certificate that made her so? No. She learned it on the job. From the moment her child was born, she acted … Continue reading →

ShareOnce in awhile, while we’re online, we stumble upon something that’s priceless. This is a masterpiece written by Terri Plewa, an astrologer, heartcoach, and writer. It’s a jewel worth savoring and saving here on this website for posterity. It’ll move you and touch you, that’s a virtual guarantee. And as I read it, me being “tuned in”, as it were, it brought a song to mind by Bryan Adams, included below. … Here’s to LOVING a woman how she’s meant to be loved. ~ Gusto A woman is not to be invaded. She is not to be questioned or conquered. This has been said a million times. Let’s say it a million and one. She is to be loved. That’s it. It sounds so simple It’s simple, … Continue reading →

ShareFEED THE RIGHT EMOTION In life, both faith and fear will arise within you, and you will choose which one will prevail. Someone once wrote; Two natures beat within my breast, The one is foul, the other blessed. The one I love, the other I hate; The one I feed will dominate. The thing is, both of those emotions will always be present in you. The emotion you continually feed is the one that will dominate your life. You can’t expect fear simply to disappear. If you continually focus on your fears, entertain them, and give in to them, they will increase. The way to ultimately overcome them is to starve them. Don’t give your fears any of your time or energy. Don’t feed them … Continue reading →

Share“As the new consciousness emerges, some people will feel called upon to form groups that reflect the enlightened consciousness. Dissolving the human ego by bringing it into the light of awareness–this will be one of the main purposes of these groups, whether they be enlightened businesses, charitable organizations, schools, or communities of people living together. Enlightened collectives can be a vortex for consciousness that will accelerate the planetary shift.”~ Eckhart Tolle “A New Earth is one of the most profound pieces of work ever written. No matter how many times I immerse myself in these teachings, I hear things I’ve never heard before or hear things in a different way. 😉 This piece on collective ego is profound… where Tolle talks about large groups that … Continue reading →

ShareMany have asked; “How do I let go? Why is that so hard?” Perhaps we try too hard, we over-analyze, trying to “figure it all out.” We’re too hard on ourselves. Many times it’s not the attachment that causes us pain. It’s detachment that hurts. The following article as seen in McWilliams – Life 101 can also be viewed HERE. I don’t want the cheese, I just want to get out of the trap. SPANISH PROVERB How does one avoid loss in the first place? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not attachment that causes loss–attachment feels fine. It’s detachment that hurts. Learn to let go. Some suggest that to avoid loss, one should never be attached to anything. They give the example of a hand in water: when … Continue reading →

ShareHe came bursting into our living rooms, on our computers, and on our cell phones. It was January, 2011, and a roving news reporter with a camera noticed a disheveled homeless man holding a sign asking for financial help. The sign included a hand-written statement advertising his radio voice. The reporter took a chance, gave the man some money, and asked him to give an example of his voice. He caught it all on camera. Today, than ONE video has been viewed 20 MILLION times around the world. Within days, the homeless man was flooded with job offers, financial aid, requests for interviews, and appeared live on the Today show with Matt Lauer. And then the bottom fell out. Not long after the media sensation … Continue reading →

ShareLife is simple. When you wake up each day, think of this one. Attitude. Choices. Run with that! ~ Gusto If you’re having a tough day, Read this.. LET IT REALLY SINK IN……. THEN CHOOSE. John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, ‘If I were any better, I would be twins!’ He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, … Continue reading →

ShareThe following article, taken in it’s entirety in original form from the Huffington Post, was written by a friend of mine, Mr. Dennis Merritt Jones, Award-winning author, Keynote speaker, and spiritual mentor. Some of you may recall one of his articles I shared awhile back called “The Spiritual Side of Facebook”, which you may read by clicking HERE. To view the content you see below on the Huffington Post, and to learn more about Dennis, click HERE. Below are Dennis’ thoughts about “Kindness.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have recently been witnessing in my own life how powerful an act of kindness can be and how much fun it can be. I take my garbage cans out to the curb every Sunday night because the trash collectors come … Continue reading →

Share I won’t give up. Ever. It’s not my nature. From the last piece written here on this website, that much should be obvious to you by now. I won’t give up on you either. So where do we go from here? So much of that is beyond my control. All I can do is keep offering what I have to give. It comes from deep inside, a wealth of knowledge, love, and awareness of what it takes to overcome, to achieve, to keep going. Ask yourself, “Am I happy with my life as it is?” If the answer is no, then ask yourself “Why?” Do you even know? Do I have the answers? I’m not here to “fix.” I’m here to guide, to nurture, … Continue reading →

Share“You can too!” The first 13 years of my life were fairly normal; a farm boy living in a small town doing the things farm boys do, working, playing, going to school, church, participating in sports. That ENDED shortly before my 14th birthday. As I looked down at my mother’s near lifeless body, which was force-ably ejected after a head-on collision with another vehicle, I knew right then the life I once loved was gone. I was the first one on the scene. If it wasn’t for that hill that obscured the view of the collision, I would have seen it with my own eyes. But boy, did I hear it. That sound, the smell in the air, is as vivid today as it was … Continue reading →

ShareYou want passion in your life? You want ownership of everything you’ve ever dreamed of, including love? Stop talking about it and start taking action. No one ever promised life would be a cake walk. To want, that’s just desire. It’s knowing WHAT you want and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get it. It’s waking up every day and when your feet hit the floor or out the door, the whole world says; “Holy crap! You mean business!” You’re on a mission and you won’t take no for an answer. All those struggles and heartache to get there? It’s all worth it. Every second of it. So take hold of it, shake it, and stir it up, because life isn’t a dress rehearsal. It’s … Continue reading →

Share“I have learned many things in this short life of mine. I’ve learned that no matter what happens in day-to-day life, nor how bad or unfair it may seem, life goes on, that tomorrow brings a brand new day filled with new hope. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your mom and dad, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. I’ve learned that I have the ability to encourage others to shine their brightest light even in their darkest hour. I’ve learned that inspiring others whenever possible is the greatest gift one can receive. I’ve learned that every day you should be grateful for the opportunities … Continue reading →

ShareThe great English writer, Aldous Huxley, was a pioneer in the study of philosophies and techniques to develop human potential. In a lecture toward the end of his life, he said this: “People often ask me…what is the most effective technique for transforming their lives?” He then said, “It’s a little embarrassing that after years and years of research, my best answer is just be a little kinder.” The following story illustrates that to a universal truth beautifully! As for you, think of something someone did for you in the past, something so kind, so “out of the blue”, that it left you speechless, yet with a sense of warmth and HOPE in your heart that you said to yourself; “You know what? This place … Continue reading →

ShareRecently a good friend of mine, Laura Barrette Shannon, author of “Be Happy Now, Simple Steps for Enjoying Life”, and page owner of the same name, shared something on her Facebook page that hit home in so many ways. It was one of those “moments” that come along rarely, an opportunity to view life as it really is, right NOW, right here, in “this moment.” So I’d like to share it with you, since I’m fairly certain it will resonate for you in the same way it did for me. There’s really nothing I could add to this since her words are as if they were my own, words that describe how I view MY life today, after so many years of negative “self-talk”, “self-worth” … Continue reading →

ShareWho has not felt the cold clammy hand of fear grip one’s spirit and paralyze our actions mid step? Sometimes this happens right at the moment when we are on the very verge of accomplishing our greatest success! Foiled by the Enemy again! Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Most of us are enslaved by some kind of fear or the other. Like many of you, I have encountered fear in many different forms. The fear of being stuck in a permanent cage, unable to fulfill my true potential, the fear of not living up to the expectations of the people who matter most to me, the fear of loss of my loved ones, the … Continue reading →